The Laws of the Navy

SOME sailors aver, and not sailors alone,

That ships, when they're christened, on leaving the ways

Acquire a mysterious life of their own

Exemplified best by the part that it plays

In crises, as told me a short time ago

By H.M.S. —— (censored) who happens to know.

She said that while dozing away in the West

Some fifty destroyers were startled to feel

Those curious symptoms of happy unrest

That quicken a ship from her truck to her keel

When orders arrive, irrespective of man,

To waken for service as fast as she can!

That long before Congress or Parliament knew,

Or even diplomacy's channels were clear,

Deep calling to deep sent a code message through

On a wave-length that only initiates hear,

Which even the oldest tune in to receive—

At least that is what the destroyers believe;

And so when the censors unshackled the truth,

The fifty destroyers, who, laboured by day

As well as by night to recapture their youth,

Were not only ready but eager to weigh;

That something incredible really took place

Is amply confirmed by the facts of the case.

That even while Goering was spinning his webs,

Ere Goebbels consigned the flotilla to flames,

As trim and excited as so many debs

The fifty were bound for the Court of St. James,

Displaying the emblems that none can mistake

Their feathers—of steam, and the trains—in their wake.

Their well-belov'd home towns have vanished astern

To rise with the cities and hamlets ahead,

Increasing their speed as they presently learn

That seas do not sever but join them instead,

And each in her turn as she peers through the foam

Discovers with joy that there's one place like home!

For Churchill and Chelsea and Brighton and Clare

With Ripley and Reading and Lincoln—in short,

The mothers of pilgrims brought up over there

Are waiting with pride to convey them to Court,

As daughters of Freedom presenting their claim

To champion her cause in the family name!